EMDR Online Therapy Guide for Your First Time 

 

If you’re interested in trying EMDR online, you will first need to learn what it is in order to have an idea of what outcomes you can expect from this type of therapy. One of the most effective evidence-based treatments for trauma, phobias, depression, and anxiety is eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, or EMDR. Even though you’ve probably heard of EMDR in relation to mental health treatment options, you might not know if this kind of therapy is appropriate for your circumstances, particularly when it’s provided virtually.

In response to the increased demand for COVID-safe mental health services during the pandemic, a number of mental healthcare professionals began providing telehealth and online therapies, including EMDR.

The pandemic has made online therapy more accessible, and more patients are receiving the care they require to recover. To find out more about online EMDR therapy, continue reading this article, which will explain all the key information about this form of therapy. 

 

What Is EMDR? 

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. In it, a patient undergoes bilateral stimulation (BLS) with eye movements, auditory stimuli, or tactile stimulation to process memories. EMDR replicates the body’s innate capacity for self-healing and processing life experiences, especially during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

An EMDR therapist asks a client to use BLS to make quick eye movements while they are awake and conscious. The brain processes emotions and events more quickly as a result of these quick eye movements. Other tools and approaches available to EMDR therapists include sounds, a light bar, physical stimulation, and left-to-right alternating or moving web software.

In order to help the brain reprocess memories and promote the desensitization and adaptation of traumatic experiences, EMDR employs dual stimulation. When clients recollect traumatic or triggering situations, clinicians guide them through a sequence of bilateral physical motions or other forms of stimulation until the memories no longer generate emotional distress.

Clients feel relief from unpleasant symptoms linked to traumatic experiences when the brain reprocesses painful memories in a safe, healthy setting.

 

When Is EMDR Therapy Used? 

EMDR concentrates on changing the feelings, ideas, or actions that follow a traumatic or upsetting event. This enables the natural healing process in your brain to continue. Although the terms “mind” and “brain” are frequently used interchangeably, they have different meanings. One of your body’s organs is your brain. The ideas, recollections, convictions, and life events that shape who you are are all stored in your mind.

The structure of our brains determines the way our minds function. This structure consists of networks of brain cells that communicate with one another in numerous regions. This is particularly true for the parts involving your senses and memories. Networking facilitates faster and simpler collaboration between those domains. Your senses (sights, sounds, scents, tastes, and feels) can evoke powerful memories.

 

Adaptive Information Processing

The Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model is a hypothesis about the way our brain stores memories. AIP is the foundation of EMDR. Francine Shapiro, PhD, who also developed EMDR, came up with the theory that your brain retains traumatic and commonplace memories in different ways.

Your brain seamlessly stores memories throughout routine events. Additionally, it networks them so that they relate to other recollections you have. Such networking isn’t done correctly during jarring or stressful occurrences. 

Trauma memories are frequently stored in a form in the brain that prevents normal healing. A trauma resembles an injury to your brain that hasn’t been given time to heal. Your brain didn’t get the information that the threat was over since it wasn’t given the chance to repair itself.

More recent experiences can be connected to past traumatic events and repeatedly reinforce bad experiences. That breaks the connections that bind your sensations to your memories. It also causes harm to your mental state. Additionally, your mind is more sensitive to everything you see, hear, smell, or feel during a trauma-related incident than your body is to pain from an injury.

This applies not only to memories that you can recall but also to ones that you have suppressed. Your mind tries to conceal painful or disturbing memories to prevent accessing them, just like you learn not to touch a hot stove since it will burn your hand. However, because the suppression isn’t flawless, negative symptoms, emotions, and behaviors related to the “injury” may still occur.

 

EMDR Therapy Benefits

EMDR encourages people to share their experiences with a therapist step-by-step. It is difficult for people to express their mental, emotional, and bodily reactions eventually. When these things are discussed, there are chances for genuine healing. The knowledge that they are survivors and possess the ability to aid others in similar experiences through connection and conversation can empower individuals.

EMDR enhances cognition by fostering links between the psychological mind and the physical body. During therapy sessions, people who have experienced traumatic situations can stand back, consider the occurrence or episodes from a different perspective, and reconstruct what happened. 

Even more profound than the traumatic events themselves can be the development of a new perspective or lens through which to view past experiences. With this alternative perspective, people can take charge of the modifications to their lives that the trauma has brought about. Recognizing the impact of trauma on day-to-day functioning can help lessen PTSD symptoms. 

 

Differences Between In-Person and Online EMDR Therapy

Virtual EMDR and in-person EMDR sessions are very similar. For an in-person session, the client and therapist meet in the therapist’s office. Online EMDR therapists can assist patients from any location with an internet connection. However, both the client and therapist must have a secluded place without interruptions to conduct therapy, whether it’s online or in person.

A client-therapist relationship based on trust and rapport is necessary for both in-person and online EMDR treatments. Bilateral stimulation is necessary for both in-person treatment and online EMDR sessions. Light bars, noises, or tactile stimuli can be used to activate BLS. Things like the butterfly hug work really well virtually. 

Finally, both treatment methods usually follow an established EMDR treatment process with defined phases and steps.

If you think that you might benefit from EMDR therapy but are unable to attend therapy sessions in person, doing it online is a great alternative. You might feel even more comfortable doing it from your home, which is very important for your first session. 

 

About Life Coaching and Therapy

Life Coaching and Therapy (LCAT) is a therapy and coaching practice that transforms our clients lives through our flexible. Multi-technique approach and pleasure-skills training provided by systematically-trained and licensed therapists!

Get to know our founder and owner, Amanda Pasciucco, (a.k.a. The Sex Healer) PhD, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist (CST) that has developed innovative therapy programs and therapy videos that get results.

Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists and certified sex therapists help all clients who visit us for a variety of personal, relationship, intimacy and sex problems.

LCAT provides on-site appointments, as well as video chat and text therapy programs.

Learn more about how LCAT can help improve your life at What We Do.